Purify the place where you will cast your circle.

Purify physically (clean up) as well as

spiritually (take a broom, athame or wand and direct positive energy into the area, to push
away negative energy)
Physically determine the bounds of your circle, if you want. Do this by drawing a circle on the
floor, sprinkling salt water in a circle, or by laying a cord in a circle (make sure you tie it).
Anyhow, the circle is usually as wide as you are tall.
Place all the objects you will be using in your ritual inside the circle.
Represent the elements in the four quarters of your circle (called corners by some, but a circle
doesn't have any corners!). Place something that represent Earth in the north, Air in the east,
Fire south and Water west. Bless (or ask for consecration of) these things. (See tips for things
that represent the elements.) Be sure to have some food and drink to share with the spirits, to
thank them and to replenish your energy.
Take your magick weapon, whether it be a broom, athame or wand, and walk round the spot
where your circle will be thrice, counterclockwise: "Cast the circle thrice about, to keep the
evil spirits out." State the purpose of the circle.
Invoke the elements and spirits and deities you wish to work with. Call them to the objects
that represent them. Take each of the objects that represent the elements around your circle,
filling it with the power of each of them.
Meditate for a while now. Meditation or astral projection might be the main act, or it serves
just to shift your consciousness.
Do whatever it is you want to do in your circle. Remember: "An it harm none, do what ye
will." If you must leave the circle before you are done, cut a doorway (quite literally, envision
a doorway being cut from the edge of the circle, up, to the side, then down again. Reclose the
circle once you're back in.
Close the circle when you're done: pay respect to whatever deities you invited, thank the
elements before you remove their representative objects, and finally undo the casting by
casting in reverse.

[edit] TipsExperiment with different ways of casting. This is only one way. It should be
comfortable for you: change whatever you want.
Salt or a green candle could represent Earth, incense or a yellow candle for Air, water or a
blue candle for Water, and a red candle for Fire.

[edit] WarningsCasting a circle is heavy work: do not take it lightly!

Be sure of what you will do: if you work magick make sure that it is really your last resort.
Make sure you will not be disturbed: aside from being uncomfortable, it can be dangerous!